District of Columbia Employment Law Update – February 2019

February 24th, 2019

Wage Garnishment Fairness Amendment Act

On February 7, 2019, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser signed the Wage Garnishment Fairness Amendment Act (B22-0572) to prevent wage garnishment from an individual making 40 times the minimum hourly wage or less. The District of Columbia’s minimum wage is currently $13.25 ($530 per week/40 hour week). The act also:

Limits the amount that can be garnished from an individual making more than 40 times the minimum hourly wage;

Allows an individual to file a motion to exempt his or her wages from attachment by claiming undue financial hardship; and

Requires a judgment creditor to give notice to the judgment debtor whose wages will be garnished.

The measure undergoes a 30-day Congressional review period and publication in the District of Columbia Register before it may take effect.